Bowen Hills (Qld)

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According to ABS demographic updates for the region and new home addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Bowen Hills has a projected population of approximately 6,072 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 1,174 people (24.0%) compared to the 2021 Census, which recorded 4,898 residents. This change is calculated using an Districts resident estimate of 6,008, established from the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with an additional 294 validated new addresses post-Census. With this population level, the density stands at 3,530 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top quartile of national areas monitored by Districts. The growth rate of 24.0% in the suburb of Bowen Hills since the 2021 census outperformed the national average (9.3%) and the state benchmark, ranking it as a leading growth zone in the region. Regional population expansion was mostly driven by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 58% of the overall population rise in recent times, though overseas migration and natural growth also made positive contributions.

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Bowen Hills has a highly qualified local workforce, featuring a strong concentration of professionals, a jobless rate of 4.4%, and an estimated 2.0% annual increase in employment, based on aggregated regional data from Districts. In March 2026, there were 4,685 employed residents, while the unemployment rate closely matched the Greater Brisbane level of 4.3%. Workforce participation stands exceptionally high at 85.1%, compared to 70.4% across Greater Brisbane. Census records indicate that a moderate 20.4% of residents worked from home, although this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 restriction periods.

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According to local ATO statistics compiled by Districts for the 2023 financial year, income levels in the suburb of Bowen Hills are higher than the national average. The median taxpayer income in the suburb of Bowen Hills is $47,697, while the average income is $71,141, compared to Greater Brisbane averages of $58,236 and $72,799. Adjusting these figures for a Wage Price Index increase of 11.36% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of approximately $53,115 (median) and $79,223 (average) as of March 2026. Census statistics show individual earnings are in the 82nd percentile nationally ($1,042 per week), though household incomes are lower, ranking in the 38th percentile. In terms of income brackets, the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly band accounts for 36.3% of the population ( individuals), which aligns with the metropolitan average of in the same bracket. Housing affordability is constrained, with residents retaining only of their income, placing the area in the th percentile, while the SEIFA index for income ranks the locality in the th decile.

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The mix of housing in Bowen Hills at the last Census consisted of 3.0% detached houses and 97.0% alternative dwellings like townhouses and apartments, differing from the Brisbane metro split of 73.5% houses and 26.5% alternative dwellings. Home ownership in Bowen Hills is low compared to the Brisbane metro area, standing at 4.8%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (11.6%) or renting tenants (83.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,614 was lower than the Brisbane metro median, while the median weekly rent was $390, compared to Brisbane metro medians of $1,863 and $380. On a national scale, mortgage costs in Bowen Hills are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, while weekly rents exceed the national median of $375.

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Families make up 35.8% of local households, consisting of couples with children (5.7%), couples without children (25.1%), and single parents (3.3%). Non-family households represent 64.2% of the total, with single person dwellings at 51.2% and group houses at 13.0%. The median household occupancy of 1.6 people is lower than the Greater Brisbane median of 2.6.

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Qualifications in Bowen Hills are well above average, with 48.6% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 25.7% across QLD and 30.4% nationally. This educational profile positions the community well for professional employment. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 34.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees (11.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational and technical training is also represented, with 28.6% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications such as advanced diplomas (12.4%) and certificates (16.2%).

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Public transport services in Bowen Hills include 20 stops offering train and bus travel. These stops accommodate 250 individual routes, delivering a total of 13,777 weekly passenger journeys. Access to transport is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 135 meters from their nearest stop. Because this is a residential area, the majority of residents commute to other locations. Private vehicles remain the primary travel method at 44%, while 22% of residents walk and 18% travel by train. Household vehicle ownership averages 0.4, which is lower than the metropolitan average. A total of 20.4% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect COVID-19 pandemic settings.

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Health outcomes for residents in Bowen Hills are generally positive. Analysis by Districts indicates mortality rates and medical conditions are consistent with national trends, with a low incidence of common health issues across both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance coverage is high, representing approximately 55% of the community (~3,363 people).

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Bowen Hills displays a diverse population, with 29.9% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 42.7% born in another country. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 33.2% of residents. The most distinct relative overrepresentation is in Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% of the population, compared to 0.1% across Greater Brisbane.

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The median age in Bowen Hills is 31 years, which is younger than the Greater Brisbane median of 36 and the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Bowen Hills has a higher proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 (38.8%) but a lower share of children aged 5 - 14 (2.4%). The concentration of residents aged 25 - 34 is higher than the national level of 14.6%. Post-2021 Census data indicates the community is aging slightly, with the median age rising from 30 to 31 years. Changes include the 75 to 84 cohort increasing from 1.1% to 2.7% of the population, and the 35 to cohort rising from to . Meanwhile, the to group decreased from to , and the to group fell from to . Projections for point to demographic changes, with the to age group expected to grow by , adding residents to reach .

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Bowen Hills currently has an estimated 115 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 85 children aged 0-2 and 57 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 7% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 11% by 2041 (to approximately 128 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 137. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 6.3 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally.